Rotational Lock for Mating Wellhead Components

ABSTRACT

A wellhead ( 10 ) with a casing head ( 20 ) has tubing ( 15 ) in its therethrough. A mating component, such as a pack-off ( 40 ), installs in the wellhead on the end of the tubing above a casing hanger ( 30 ). The bore ( 42 ) of the pack-off defines circumferential grooves—each having a canted spring ( 100 A,  100 B) disposed therein. The canted springs engaged between the groove and the tubing and restricting relative rotation between the pack-off and the tubing.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Wellheads use casing hangers inside casing heads to support tubingstrings in a well. One problem that has existed for some time is how tohold a tubing string and internal features (e.g., hanger, pack-off,etc.) of the wellhead stationary relative to one another duringinstallation operations. Historically, rotational stops have been usedto hold the tubing string and internal features in place. The rotationalstops include mechanisms such as hardened pins, spring/pawl mechanisms,spring loaded pins, splines, keyways, and threaded connections. All ofthese mechanisms require the elements to be axially and/or rotationallyaligned to function. Any need to make such alignments complicatesinstallation steps in which large components must be lifted and placedto construct the wellhead.

The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming,or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems setforth above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A component of the present disclosure is used for a wellhead having athroughbore with a tubing component disposed therein. The componentcomprises a body and at least one canted spring. The body positions inthe throughbore of the wellhead. The body defines a bore therethrough,and the bore defines at least one groove thereabout. The bore isdisposed at least partially on the tubing component. The at least onecanted spring is disposed in the at least one groove and is engagedbetween the at least one groove and the tubing component. The at leastone canted spring restricts rotation of the body relative to the tubingin at least one direction.

The body can further comprise: an internal seal disposed in the bore andsealing against the tubing component; and an external seal disposedabout the body and sealing against the throughbore of the wellhead. Thebore can define a shoulder engaging a distal end of the tubingcomponent. For example, the body can comprise a pack-off. Accordingly,the component can further include a slip hanger disposed in thethroughbore of the wellhead on the tubing component below the pack-off.

The at least one groove can have a number of variations. For example,the groove can define a backwall divided at an angle and engaging coilsof the at least one canted spring at two points. The groove can define agroove width configured relative to a coil width to at least partiallydefine the engagement of the at least one canted spring between the atleast one groove and the tubing component. The groove can define agroove depth that is configured relative to the internal and outerdimensions of the canted spring to at least partially define theengagement of the at least one canted spring between the at least onegroove and the tubing component.

In one particular implementation, a component for a wellhead having athroughbore with a tubing component disposed therein comprises a bodyand first and second canted springs. As before, the body positions inthe throughbore of the wellhead and defines a bore therethrough to atleast partially position on the tubing component. The bore defines atfirst and second grooves thereabout in which first and second cantedsprings are disposed in the first groove. The springs are engagedbetween the grooves and the tubing component and preventing rotation ofthe body relative to the tubing component in opposing directions.

The coils of the first canted spring can define a first pitch; and thecoils of the second canted spring can define a second pitch orientatedopposite to the first pitch. The two pitches can be the same ordifferent from one another.

According to the present disclosure, a wellhead for tubing comprises awellhead component defining a throughbore with the tubing passing atpartially therethrough. A body with at least one canted spring asdetails previously can position in the throughbore of the wellhead andcan be disposed at least partially on the tubing.

According to the present disclosure, an apparatus comprises first andsecond components and at least one canted spring. The first componenthas an outer surface, while the second component defines a boretherethrough and positioning at least partially on the outer surface ofthe first component. Either the outer surface, the bore, or both defineat least one groove thereabout for the at least one canted spring.

A method is disclosed of assembling a wellhead having tubing inside athroughbore. At least one canted spring is positioned in at least onegroove defined in a bore of a wellhead component, and the bore of thewellhead component is positioned at least partially on the tubing insidethe throughbore of the wellhead. The at least one canted spring isengaged between the at least one groove and the tubing, and rotation ofthe wellhead component and the tubing is restricted relative to oneanother in at least one direction with the engagement of the at leastone canted spring. In positioning the bore of the wellhead component atleast partially on the tubing, the wellhead component can be positionedregardless of axial and radial alignment relative to the tubing.

In positioning the bore of the body at least partially on the tubing,internal and external seals can seal the body against the throughbore ofthe wellhead. A shoulder defined in the bore can engage against a distaledge of the tubing.

The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each potentialembodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a wellhead having a casinghead, casing hangers, a tubing spool, pack-offs and the like, as well asa rotational lock according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of simplified components fora wellhead having a rotational lock according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate elements of the disclosed rotational lock duringstages of assembly.

FIGS. 2C-2E illustrate other arrangements of the disclosed rotationallocks.

FIG. 3A illustrates a plan view of a first canted spring of thedisclosed rotational lock.

FIG. 3B illustrates a plan view of a second canted spring of thedisclosed rotational lock.

FIG. 3C illustrates an elevational view of portion of a coil for thecanted springs.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of the elements of the disclosedrotational lock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a wellhead 10 havingvarious components mounted to surface casing 14. As is typical, a casinghead 20 mounts with a landing ring 12 on the surface casing 14, and aslip hanger 30 landed in the bowl 25 of the casing head 20 supports aninner casing string 16 downhole. A slip pack-off 40 installs in thecasing head 20 above the hanger 30 and mounts on the distal end of theinner casing string 16. The pack-off 40 provides a seal between thecasing hanger 30 and the casing head 20.

A tubing spool 50 connects to the casing head 20 with an adapter 24. Thetubing spool 50 includes a mandrel pack-off 60 engaged on the slippack-off 40. Another casing slip hanger 70 mounted in the bowl createdby the mandrel pack-off 60 in the tubing spool's bore 52 supports in aninner tubing string 18 on which another slip pack-off 80 installs.Additional components, such as additional tubing spools, blow-outpreventer, a tubing head adapter, gate valves of a production tree, andthe like, can then install above the tubing spool 50 depending on thecurrent drilling or production stage of the well.

The wellhead 10 can have any variety of configurations, and the presentexample is only meant to be illustrative. Instead of slip hangers 30 andslip pack-off 40, mandrel hangers can be used with mandrel pack-offs.

The pack-off 40 that installs on the distal end of the inner casingstring 16 forms a seal between the casing head's bore 22 and the innercasing 16. To do this, the pack-off 40 includes external seals 46 forsealing against the bore 22 of the casing head 20 and includes internalseals 44 in the bore 42 of the pack-off 40 for sealing against thecasing 16.

To prevent rotation, the pack-off 40 further includes at least onerotational lock 100 according to the present disclosure. The rotationallock 100 is disposed in the bore 42 of the pack-off 40 and engagesagainst the casing string 16. Although one rotational lock 100 is shown,additional rotational locks 100 can be used on the same pack-off 40.Additionally, the other pack-off 80 could also include a rotational lockfor the inner tubing string 18.

As noted in the background section, there is a need for an engageablerotational locking feature for wellheads or other assemblies to hold thetubing string and installed components stationary during operations.Rather than requiring axial and rotational alignment to function, therotation lock 100 of the present disclosure allows for components tosnap-on/snap-off of tubing with minimal parts and without significantmodifications to existing wellhead elements.

For simplified description, FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional viewof simplified components for a wellhead 10 having a rotational lock 100according to the present disclosure. In this simplification, a casinghead 20 mounts on surface casing 14, and a casing hanger 30 in the head20 supports an inner tubing string 15. A pack-off component 40 mountsabove the hanger 30 on the distal end of the tubing string 15. Thepack-off component 40 includes internal seals 44 for sealing against thetubing 15 and includes external seals 46 for sealing against thethroughbore 22 of the casing head 20. In general, the casing hanger 30can be a slip hanger to which the pack-off component 40 may or may notbe affixed.

Two rotational locks 100A-B are disposed in the bore 42 of the pack-offcomponent 40 and are engaged with the tubing 15. Each rotational lock100A-B prevents rotation of the pack-off component in oppositedirections. In this way, during assembly of the wellhead 20, therotational locks 100A-B prevent the pack-off component 40 from rotatingon the distal end of the tubing 15 and likewise prevent the tubing 15from rotation, as other components are assembled, removed, reassembled,and/or rearranged for the wellhead 10 during any of the various changesmade during drilling, completion, and production operations.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate elements of the disclosed rotational locks 100A-Bduring stages of assembly. The elements include a mating component 200for fitting on the distal end 214 of a tubing component 210, which hasan internal bore 212. In general, the mating component 210 can be anyinternal component of a wellhead or other assembly that mates to tubing.Therefore, the tubing component 210 may be part of or installed oncasing or tubing, such as used in a wellhead. Although described in thecontext of a wellhead, however, the disclosed rotational locks 100A-Bcan be used for any suitable mating components in a wellboreenvironment.

As best shown in FIG. 2A, the mating component 200 includes an innerbore 202 having circumferential grooves 206A-B defined thereabout. Thebore 202 may also include a stop shoulder 204 and may include seals (notshown). The rotational locks 100A-B include canted springs 110A-Bdisposed in opposite orientations in the circumferential grooves 206A-B.

When the mating component 200 installs on the distal end 214 of thetubing component 210 as shown in FIG. 2B, the stop shoulder 204 canengage the tubing's edge. To facilitate passage of the springs 110A-Bpast the edge of the tubing component 210, the distal end 214 may definean outer bevel feature. The canted springs 110A-B of the rotationallocks 100A-B engage between the grooves 206A-B and the outer surface ofthe tubing component 210 to prevent rotation of the mating component 200in opposite directions. In addition to preventing rotation in one orboth directions, the canted springs 110A-B allow free travel axiallybetween the tubing components 200, 210. This means that the rotationallock 200 does not depend on a need for any particular axial orrotational alignment between the components 200, 210.

Although shown in the context of using two canted springs 110A-Boriented in opposite directions, one or more additional canted springs110 can be used in one or more additional grooves 206. For example, FIG.2C illustrates four canted springs 110A-D used between the components200, 210. The various canted springs 110A-D can prevent rotation ineither one or both of the directions. In this way, two or more cantedsprings e.g., 110A-B can work in tandem in one direction to supportadditional loading. Additionally or alternatively, two or more othercanted springs e.g., 110C-D can work in tandem in the oppositedirection. Overall, the tandem support can increase the rotationalresistance of the lock depending on the application.

Although shown in the context of the mating component 200 having a bore202 (with the grooves 206A-B and the canted springs 110A-B) that fits onthe cylindrical outer surface of the tubing component 210, a reversearrangement could be used. For example, FIG. 2D illustrates a tubingcomponent 210, provided it has a sidewall of significant thickness, thathas external grooves 216 in which the canted springs 110C-D arepositioned. The tubing component 210 can then fit at least partially inthe mating component's bore 202 so the canted springs 110C-D engageagainst the inner cylindrical surface of the bore 202 to preventrotation.

Moreover, an assembly may use one or more internal canted springs 110A-Bin the bore 202 of the mating component 200 combined with one or moreexternal canted springs 100C-D on the tubing component 210. For example,FIG. 2E illustrates first canted springs 110A-B for preventing rotationin a first direction can be used in internal grooves 206 of the matingcomponent 200, while second canted springs 110C-D for preventingrotation in an opposite direction can be used on external grooves 216 ofthe tubing component 210. Each pair can alternatively prevent rotationin both directions.

These and other tandem, reverse, and combined arrangements of FIGS.2A-2E can be used on any of the various arrangements disclosed herein.

FIG. 3A illustrates a plan view of a first canted spring 110A of thedisclosed rotational lock 100, and FIG. 3B illustrates a plan view of asecond canted spring 110B of the disclosed rotational lock 100. Thecanted springs 110A-B can be composed of a suitable material forwellhead applications, including metallic material, plastic, glass,composite, etc.

These two canted springs 110A-B each have coils 112 angled at oppositepitches P relative to one another. The amount of pitch P for both may bethe same or different from one another. In fact, the two springs 110A-Bmay be identical to one another, but flipped relative to one anotherwhen installed in the component.

In general, the springs 110A-B have inner diameters ID and outerdiameters OD configured for the implementation at hand, such as theouter diameter of the tubing component (210) and the inner dimension ofthe circumferential groove (206) between which the spring 110 engages.Additionally, the coils 112 have a general coil width (CW) as shown inFIG. 3C. Each of these various dimensions ID, OD, CW, P, and the likeare configured for the implementation at hand.

Each of the canted springs 110A-B may have the same OD and ID, butassemblies may use other combinations. For example, the canted springs110A-B may have different IDs, different ODs, or both different IDs andODs. Additionally, each of the canted springs 110A-B do not have to bedisposed in similar grooves 206 in the mating component 200 and do notneed to engage the same surface of the tubing component 210 to functionas lock. Accordingly, one spring 110A may have one or more differentdimensions compared to the other spring 110B, one of the grooves 206Amay have one or more different dimensions compared to the other grooves206B, and the surface against which the springs 110A-B engage do notneed to be the same surface (i.e., they can have different surfaces withdifferent diameters).

For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of the elements of thedisclosed rotational lock 100 during engagement. The circumferentialgroove 206 in the mating component 200 includes a divided backwalldefining an angle θ. The divided backwall allows for two points ofengagement against the coils 112 of the spring 110. The groove 206 isdefined at a groove depth SD and has a groove width SW. The tubingcomponent 210 fits at a clearance C relative to the component 200 havingthe exposed canted spring 110.

Each of these dimensions SW, SD, θ, and C combined with the dimensionsID, OD, CW, P of the canted spring 110 operate together for the cantedspring 110 to engage between the tubing component 210 and the groove 206and prevent relative rotation between the tubing component 210 and themating component 200. For example, the groove width SW combined with thecoil width CW and the groove depth SD combined with the differencebetween the inner and outer dimensions ID, OD of the canted spring 110as well as the clearance C define the amount of engagement.

As noted in the background of the present disclosure, historicalsolutions require predefined axial positions to engage features such aspins, pawls, splines, etc. to prevent rotation. Traditional solutionsalso require predefined rotational alignment to engage these types offeatures. This rotational lock 100 of the present disclosure is notdependent on rotational alignment and can engage at any rotationalangle. This allows for axial movement for positioning the tubularelements and can remove the need to rotate the tubular elements at anyaxial position even during up and down tubing movement.

As disclosed herein, the rotation lock 100 includes one or more cantedsprings 110 in corresponding grooves 206. Each canted spring 110 preventrotation in one direction so rotation can be prevented in opposingdirections by the opposing canted springs 110A-B. Utilizing two opposingsprings 110A-B with grooves 206A-B allows the tubing component 210 to beengaged and disengaged repeatedly without wear or damage duringinstallation.

As will be appreciated during assembly of a wellhead during stages ofdrilling, completion, and eventual preparation for production, variouswellhead components are installed one on top of the other on and insidethe wellhead, can be installed by passing through other components, suchas a blow-out preventer, or can be installed while other components arelifted out of the way. The challenges involved in completing thesevarious assembly steps can be simplified by the disclosed rotationallocks 100.

The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is notintended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of theinventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. It will beappreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure that featuresdescribed above in accordance with any embodiment or aspect of thedisclosed subject matter can be utilized, either alone or incombination, with any other described feature, in any other embodimentor aspect of the disclosed subject matter.

In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained herein, theApplicants desire all patent rights afforded by the appended claims.Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims include allmodifications and alterations to the full extent that they come withinthe scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. A component for a wellhead having a throughbore with a tubingcomponent disposed therein, the component comprising: a body positioningin the throughbore of the wellhead, the body defining a boretherethrough, the bore defining at least one groove thereabout, the boredisposed at least partially on the tubing component; and at least onecanted spring disposed in the at least one groove and engaged betweenthe at least one groove and the tubing component, the at least onecanted spring restricting rotation of the body relative to the tubing inat least one direction.
 2. The component of claim 1, wherein the bodyfurther comprises: an internal seal disposed in the bore and sealingagainst the tubing component; and an external seal disposed about thebody and sealing against the throughbore of the wellhead.
 3. Thecomponent of claim 1, wherein the bore defines a shoulder engaging adistal end of the tubing component.
 4. The component of claim 1, whereinthe body comprises a pack-off.
 5. The component of claim 4, furthercomprising a slip hanger disposed in the throughbore of the wellhead onthe tubing component below the pack-off.
 6. The component of claim 1,wherein the at least one groove defines a backwall divided at an angleand engaging coils of the at least one canted spring at two points. 7.The component of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove defines agroove width; and wherein the at least one canted spring defines a coilwidth, the groove width and the coil width being configured to at leastpartially define the engagement of the at least one canted springbetween the at least one groove and the tubing component.
 8. Thecomponent of claim 1, the at least one groove defines a groove depth;and wherein the at least one canted spring defines a difference betweenan inner dimension and an outer dimension, the groove depth and thedifference being configured to at least partially define the engagementof the at least one canted spring between the at least one groove andthe tubing component.
 9. The component of claim 1, wherein the at leastone groove comprises first and second grooves; and wherein the at onecanted spring comprises: a first canted spring disposed in the firstgroove and engaged between the first groove and the tubing component,the first canted spring preventing rotation of the body relative to thetubing component in a first direction; and a second canted springdisposed in the second groove and engaged between the second groove andthe tubing component, the second canted spring preventing rotation ofthe body relative to the tubing component in a second direction oppositeto the first direction.
 10. The component of claim 9, wherein coils ofthe first canted spring define a first pitch; and wherein coils of thesecond canted spring define a second pitch orientated opposite to thefirst pitch.
 11. The component of claim 10, wherein the first pitch isthe same as the second pitch.
 12. A wellhead for tubing, comprising: afirst wellhead component defining a throughbore with the tubing passingat partially therethrough; and a second wellhead component according toclaim 1 comprising the body and the at least one canted spring.
 13. Anapparatus, comprising: a first component having an outer surface; asecond component defining a bore therethrough and positioning at leastpartially on the outer surface of the first component, wherein at leastone of the outer surface of the first component and the bore of thesecond component defines at least one groove thereabout; and at leastone canted spring disposed in the at least one groove and engagedbetween the at least one groove and the other of outer surface and thebore, the at least one canted spring restricting rotation of the firstand second components relative to one another in at least one direction.14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the outer surface of the firstcomponent defines a first of the at least one groove thereabout; andwherein a first of the at least one canted spring is disposed in thefirst groove and is engaged between the first groove and the bore of thesecond component, the first canted spring restricting rotation of thefirst and second components relative to one another in a first of the atleast one direction.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the outersurface of the first component defines a second of the at least onegroove thereabout; and wherein a second of the at least one cantedspring is disposed in the second groove and is engaged between thesecond groove and the bore of the second component, the second cantedspring restricting rotation of the first and second components relativeto one another in a second of the at least one direction opposite to thefirst direction.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the bore of thesecond component defines a first of the at least one groove thereabout;and wherein a first of the at least one canted spring is disposed in thefirst groove and is engaged between the first groove and the outersurface of the first component, the first canted spring restrictingrotation of the first and second components relative to one another in afirst of the at least one direction.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein the outer surface of the first component defines a second of theat least one groove thereabout; and wherein a second of the at least onecanted spring is disposed in the second groove and is engaged betweenthe second groove and the bore of the first component, the second cantedspring restricting rotation of the first and second components relativeto one another in a second of the at least one direction opposite to thefirst direction.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first andsecond grooves have one or more groove dimensions that are the same ordifferent, and wherein the first and second canted springs have one ormore spring dimensions that are the same or different.
 19. The apparatusof claim 16, wherein the bore of the second component defines a secondof the at least one groove thereabout; and wherein a second of the atleast one canted spring is disposed in the second groove and is engagedbetween the second groove and the outer surface of the first component,the second canted spring restricting rotation of the first and secondcomponents relative to one another in a second of the at least onedirection opposite to the first direction.
 20. A method of assembling awellhead having tubing inside a throughbore, the method comprising:positioning at least one canted spring in at least one groove defined ina bore of a wellhead component; positioning the bore of the wellheadcomponent at least partially on the tubing inside the throughbore of thewellhead; engaging the at least one canted spring between the at leastone groove and the tubing; and restricting rotation of the wellheadcomponent and the tubing relative to one another in at least onedirection with the engagement of the at least one canted spring. 21-24.(canceled)
 25. The method of claim 20, wherein positioning the at leastone canted spring in the at least one groove defined in the bore of thebody comprises: positioning a first of the at least one canted springsin a first of the at least one groove; and positioning a second of theat least one canted springs disposed in a second of the at least onegroove.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein engaging the at least onecanted spring and preventing the rotation comprises: engaging the firstcanted spring between the first groove and the tubing and preventing therotation of the body relative to the tubing in a first of the at leastone direction; and engaging the second canted spring between the firstgroove and the tubing and preventing the rotation of the body relativeto the tubing in a second of the at least one direction opposite to thefirst direction.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein coils of the firstcanted spring define a first pitch; and wherein coils of the secondcanted spring define a second pitch orientated opposite to the firstpitch.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first pitch is the sameas the second pitch. 29-31. (canceled)